"We adults are going inside to discuss something important. Little Lei, watch the door for me. Don't let anyone eavesdrop on us!" Wei Jiangyuan instructed him with a perfectly straight face.
Lei Jingxiao rolled his eyes in fury. "Wei, just you wait! One month! Once that month is up, you'd better not sleep at night!"
Wei Jiangyuan paid no mind to the threat. With a chuckle, he grabbed Xiao Yan and pulled him into the courtyard, then shut the door behind them, leaving the aggrieved Lei Jingxiao outside to continue his task of giving thanks.
"Well, Old Xiao? That trip to the Heavenly Tomb was dangerous, but did your soul power improve?"
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. "It did improve somewhat. Just not by much, relatively speaking. At my current level, improving my soul power is difficult. I'm still a long way from a true transformation."
"Good, good." Wei Jiangyuan patted his chest as though comforting Xiao Yan, but what he actually said was, "I was worried you'd gone straight into the ninth grade. Looks like you're not there yet."
Xiao Yan shook his head with an amused smile. "Becoming a Ninth-grade Alchemist isn't that easy. Wei, you think too highly of me. I'm already satisfied with my current pace."
Xiao Yan had no intention of rushing. He knew all too well that no one grew fat from a single mouthful.
"You may be progressing slowly, but you've already reached the Dou Saint Realm, and you have several Heavenly Flames to help you. Even if you improve your alchemy little by little, you'll become a Ninth-grade Alchemist sooner or later. But I'm different..."
A trace of envy entered Wei Jiangyuan's eyes. "I'm still far from the Dou Saint Realm. My teacher told me that without a Dou Saint's strength, I can't